Know common liver diseases

Liver problems include a wide range of diseases and conditions that can affect your liver.

Liver problems can be inherited, or liver problems can occur in response to viruses and chemicals. Some liver problems are temporary and go away on their own, while other liver problems can last for a long time and lead to serious complications.

Some common liver disease symptoms include the following:

  • Discolored skin and eyes that appear yellowish
  • Abdominal pain and swelling
  • Itchy skin that doesn’t seem to go away
  • Dark urine color
  • Pale stool color
  • Bloody or tar-colored stool
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite

When diagnosing liver disease, the doctor looks at the patient’s symptoms and conducts a physical examination. In addition, the doctor may request a liver biopsy, liver function tests, an ultrasound, a computed tomography (CT) scan, and/or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Problems that can occur in the liver include:

  • Jaundice
  • Cholestasis
  • Liver enlargement
  • Portal hypertension
  • Esophageal varices
  • Ascites
  • Liver encephalopathy
  • Liver failure

About common liver diseases

What is jaundice?

Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes due to abnormally high levels of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the bloodstream. Urine is usually dark because of the bilirubin excreted through the kidneys. High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation, or other abnormalities of the liver cells, or blockage of the bile ducts. Sometimes, jaundice is caused by the breakdown of a large number of red blood cells, which can occur in newborns. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.

What is cholestasis?

Cholestasis means any condition in which bile flow is reduced or stopped. “Chole” refers to bile and “stasis” means “not moving.” Bile flow may be blocked inside the liver, outside the liver, or in both places. Symptoms may include:

  • Jaundice. A yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Dark urine
  • Pale stool
  • Easy bleeding
  • Itching
  • Small, spider-like blood vessels visible in the skin
  • Enlarged spleen
  • Ascites. A fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity
  • Chills
  • Pain from the biliary tract or pancreas
  • Enlarged gallbladder

Some causes of cholestasis include the following:

  • Hepatitis
  • Alcoholic liver disease
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis
  • Drug effects
  • Hormonal changes during pregnancy
  • A stone in the bile duct
  • Bile duct narrowing
  • Bile duct cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Inflammation of the pancreas

What is liver enlargement?

Liver enlargement is usually an indicator of liver disease, although there are usually no symptoms associated with a slightly enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). Symptoms of a grossly enlarged liver include abdominal discomfort or “feeling full.”

What is portal hypertension?

Portal hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein, which supplies the liver with blood from the intestine. Portal hypertension may be due to increased blood pressure in the portal blood vessels, or resistance to blood flow through the liver. Portal hypertension can lead to the growth of new blood vessels (called collaterals) that connect blood flow from the intestine to the general circulation, bypassing the liver. When this occurs, substances that are normally removed by the liver pass into the general circulation. Symptoms of portal hypertension may include:

  • Ascites. A fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity
  • Development of varicose veins. Varicose veins (esophageal varices) develop at the lower end of the esophagus and in the stomach lining

    • What are esophageal varices?

    Esophageal varices are dilated blood vessels within the walls of the lower part of the esophagus that are prone to bleeding. They can appear in individuals with severe liver disease. A diseased liver can cause portal hypertension, which is high blood pressure in the portal vein. The portal vein supplies the liver with blood. Over time, this pressure causes blood vessels to grow, called collateral blood vessels. These vessels act as channels to divert the blood under high pressure. The extra pressure in these vessels causes them to dilate and become tortuous. These vessels can eventually reach the lower esophagus and stomach and are prone to rupture. The rupture can lead to significant blood loss from vomiting or from lost blood passing through the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of esophageal varices may include:

    • Painless vomiting of blood
    • Black, tarry or bloody stools
    • Decreased urine output
    • Excessive thirst
    • Light-headedness
    • Paleness
    • Anemia. A condition that indicates a low red blood cell count

    What is ascites?

    Ascites is fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity caused by fluid leaks from the surface of the liver and intestine. Ascites due to liver disease usually accompanies other liver disease characteristics such as portal hypertension. Symptoms of ascites may include a distended abdominal cavity, which causes discomfort and shortness of breath. Causes of ascites may include the following:

    • Liver cirrhosis (especially cirrhosis caused by alcoholism)
    • Alcoholic hepatitis
    • Chronic hepatitis
    • Obstruction of the hepatic vein
    • Ascites can also be caused by nonliver disorders.

    What is liver encephalopathy?

    Liver encephalopathy is the deterioration of brain function and damage to the nervous system due to toxic substances building up in the blood, which are normally removed by the liver. Liver encephalopathy is also called portal-systemic encephalopathy, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatic coma. Symptoms may include:

    • Impaired consciousness
    • Changes in logical thinking, personality, and behavior
    • Mood changes
    • Impaired judgment
    • Drowsiness
    • Confusion
    • Sluggish speech and movement
    • Disorientation
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Coma
    • Seizures (rare)
    • Muscle stiffness or tremors
    • Uncontrollable movement

    What is liver failure?

    Liver failure is severe deterioration of liver function. Liver failure occurs when a large portion of the liver is damaged due to any type of liver disorder. Symptoms may include:

    • Jaundice. A yellowing of the skin and eyes
    • Tendency to bruise or bleed easily
    • Ascites. A fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity
    • Impaired brain function
    • General failing health
    • Fatigue
    • Weakness
    • Nausea
    • Loss of appetite
    • Diarrhea